House gives preliminary 'yes' to death-with-dignity

Vermont's proposed assisted-suicide legislation received a late-night debate at the State House on Tuesday night. It passed just before 11:30 p.m.

The law would give terminally-ill Vermonters with six months to live the right to get medication from a doctor ending their life on their terms.

It follows a similar law already on the books in Oregon.

The bill passed the Senate in February. Senators stripped out government overnight and added protections for doctors and families. The House version reverts to the original legislation with all the oversight built in.

Opponents said Tuesday they did not want to give the message that suicide was okay.

"For some kids, they break up with their girlfriend or their boyfriend and it's the end of their life," said Rep. Mike Hebert, R-Vernon. "I don't want to send that message."

"Who's going to be responsible in that house if someone under the age of 18 accidentally takes some of those pills?" said Rep. Ron Hubert, R-Milton. "Those are some of the things this bill does not address."

Supporters said the bill allows for control of one's own life decisions. One amendment struck down would have required a doctor to be in the room when the person took the lethal dose of medication.

"That is something that Oregon does not require," said Rep. Linda Waite-Simpson, D-Essex Junction. "And they simply do not require it because it's intrusive on the patient and their ability to determine who should be at their bedside when they die."